By Elizabeth Vanover

Dance can be defined in many ways. To some it is a sport. To some it is an art. But to one student at ETSU it is a passion. 

“Dance is my life. I have been dancing for so long that it has become part of me,” said Leslie Hughes, a second-year dancer. Until ETSU started a dance program, Hughes considered going to other schools.

“This is home for me and to be able to do what I love and stay here means a lot,” she said. 

Dance is the newest division of the Theater Department at ETSU. Its upcoming spring dance concert. contains many different types of dances from all over the world.

This year most of the pieces are modern and contemporary dance, featuring over 20 student performers. Cara Harker and Jennifer Kintner, ETSU professors of dance, will be performing in the show. 

Last year’s performance featured tango, contemporary, and modern dance. Many students found the dances hard to understand but every dance told a story. 

In order to have a good dance program, good choreographers and dance teachers are a necessity, students in the program say.  Harker and Kintner are the two main choreographers for this year’s performance, but a guest choreographer is also coming to do a workshop that will teach a dance for the program. 

Harker is the returning choreographer and teacher this year. Last year, Judith Woodruff was one of the lead choreographers and also a major influence in starting the dance program. 

Another student, Sarah Sims, is in her first year dancing at ETSU. Sims is a transfer student from Radford University, where her major was relating to dance. 

“I like the style of teaching here at ETSU. We get an early start and no one has to rush to learn a piece,” said Sims. “It is much easier to work towards perfection when you aren’t being pushed.” 

Harker and Kintner make sure to teach the dances in a way that everyone can catch on, dancers said. As long as students come to practice and rehearsals, the professors and choreographers are willing to work with them to achieve perfection. 

The dancers have varied practice and rehearsal schedules throughout the year. The fall is not as intense, as they only have one or two practices per week. However, in the spring many student dancers are in the studio for hours each week. It is not unusual for a dancer to be in the studio every day for at least a few weeks before performance.  

“It is almost like you have to have a passion to dance if you want to be successful on the dance floor,” said Hughes. “You cannot go to rehearsal and expect to give half of what you have. It’s about giving your all and wanting to do so.” 

The dance concert will take place on February 26 through March 1, 2009. There will be both evening and daytime shows. ETSU students and community members are encouraged to come support the division of Theater and Dance. To reserve tickets go to etsu.edu/theatre or call 423-439-6511.